The Most Gnarly 1980s Sci-Fi Movie Posters!

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Totally awesome one-sheets from beyond.

By IGN Movies

Over the years, many a great sci-fi film's arrival was trumpeted by its poster. Obviously this has been true for any kind of movie, especially in the pre-Internet age, but in particular science-fiction films and their otherworldly, far-out subject matter have always been great fodder for some remarkable one-sheets.

And, of course, the 1980s was also a time when many of our favorite sci-fi films were released. It was a notably pre-Photoshop era, meaning that the floating heads and samey debris storms that populate so many posters these days were not around, and very often actual pieces of art were created as the basis of the posters instead.

So let's take a look some of our favorite '80s movie posters. We promise you these will be totally awesome!

Blade Runner

An undeniable classic, this poster by the late John Alvin completely encapsulates the cyberpunk and noir setting of Ridley Scott's masterpiece. John Alvin went on to release an updated version in 2000. Just like the film, even the poster has multiple versions!

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

One of the most wondrous poster images of all time. The image of young Elliott and his new extra-terrestrial friend flying past the moon on a bicycle is the most instantly recognizable shot in Steven Spielberg's classic film, and maybe even from his entire career. It works marvelously as a one-sheet.

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

Arguably the best Star Trek film ever, the poster for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan lives up to the adventurous feel of the film it was made for. This is a poster that promises adventure, action and revenge in equal measure, and boy, we definitely got that.

The Empire Strikes Back

From the best Star Trek film we head over to the best Star Wars film. The poster for Empire Strikes Back is pure magic. It tells us to expect more drama, more romance, and a darker tone than that of the original film. It also features prominent placement of a tauntaun, and really, that should be on every poster ever.

The Thing

Sci-fi? Horror? Both? Let's put it this way: John Carpenter's The Thing is the one with the Blair Monster! It's also the one with this seriously creepy poster by the legendary artist Drew Struzan.